19 Wood Types You've Never Heard Of

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Sure you know maple and oak. But how about sonokeling or tanguile? From eyeglass frames to wallpaper, these fabulous home accessories all stem from exotic woods.

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Tanguile Mirror

A lightweight wood that's popular for boats and canoes. No wonder this mirror appears to float on the wall.

Madena Mirror, 24" diameter, $840. Made Goods through Calypso Home: 212-925-6200.

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ACACIA

This tropical hardwood has been used for thousands of years, but doesn't it look modern mixed with metal?

FIG LEAF SERVING BOWL WITH MESH LID, 11 1/2" DIA, $195. MICHAEL ARAM: .

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AFZELIA

A richly marbled wood from Southeast Asia, hand-turned to a smooth finish.

AFZELIA CLICK PEN, $24. WOOD AND GLASS: .

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iWood iPod Case

Padouk, a reddish African wood, adds a dose of warmth to a cool, digital world. $84. Miniot: .

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BANANA BARK

Papery layers of fiber are wrapped around beads and laminated for a naturally glamorous look.

PALMYRA TIEBACK, TO THE TRADE. LORI WEITZNER FOR SAMUEL & SONS: 212-704-8000; .

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SHISHAM

Definitely a wood to watch — we're seeing it everywhere. The high-contrast grain lends drama to even a simple chair.

CHESTER CHAIR, $950. MADE GOODS THROUGH MECOX: 631-287-5015; .

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OLIVEWOOD

Textured and dense, this Mediterranean staple looks chic in a dark finish.

BELMONT FRAME, FROM $33/FOOT. LARSON-JUHL: 800-886-6126; .

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KIRI

From Japan, it's light in color and weight — this trivet is just a few ounces — yet it's also sturdy.

Small smoked Kiri wood trivet, approximately 4" diameter, $12. Portland Japanese Garden Gift Store: 503-223-5055; .

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COCOBOLO

The ruddy hardwood from Central America is made even stronger when infused with resin.

SHUN BOB KRAMER MEIJI 7" SANTOKU KNIFE, $395. WILLIAMS-SONOMA: 800-541-2233; .

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MACHICHE

This Central American hardwood rivals teak in strength. You can leave it out in the rain and it will only get prettier.

ADINA ARMCHAIR, $1,950. HOM ESCAPE IN STYLE BY CISCO BROTHERS: 877-960-4466; .

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Verawood Eyeglasses

Hand-carved from extremely hard water-resistant wood. So original! And we love the subtle, earthy scent.

Krindie from $750. Urban Spectacles: 773-469-9836; .

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MANGO

Designers love it for its naturally weathered appearance. It gives this new lamp the look of an antique.

CLASSIC URN LAMP, 14" DIA × 27" H, $350. VAGABOND VINTAGE THROUGH MOTHOLOGY: 404-351-6484; .

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AKITA

Sake cups made from paper-thin slices of uncoated Japanese cedar bent in an exquisite diagonal.

WAPPA SAKE CUP, 2 1/2" H, $36 EACH. KURIKYU THROUGH TORTOISE GENERAL STORE: 310-314-8448; .

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LEMONWOOD

Moroccan lemon tree branches that no longer bear fruit are carved into soft yellow kitchen and bath accessories.

SOAP DISH, $16. CANVAS: 212-461-1496; .

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PAULOWNIA

This flexible Japanese wood doesn't warp, so it's an excellent choice for wallpaper. Here it's mixed with Manila hemp to create a chevron effect.

DECO WOOD, TO THE TRADE. PHILLIP JEFFRIES: 800-576-5455; .

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JATOBÁ

Crafted from a Brazilian wood, this oversize vase is for dried flowers only. We think it's a beautiful piece of sculpture on its own.

PILÃO VASE, 7" DIA × 20" H, $760. ETEL CARMONA FOR ESPASSO: 212-219-0017; .

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TAMARIND

This stunning wood — bold with marble-like veining — was salvaged from road construction sites in the Philippines.

PIERCED CUBE, 18" H × 18" W × 18" D, $1,500. TUCKER ROBBINS THROUGH SUITE NEW YORK: 877-278-4836; .

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SAPELLI

The best of both worlds: an African hardwood with the rich color of mahogany and the strength of oak.

ARROYO END TABLE, 26" H × 23" W × 28" D, $1,079. L. & J. G. STICKLEY: 800-777-3505; .

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SONOKELING

This pocket-size magnifying glass is handcrafted by Indonesian artisans. The exotic handle stands out against the dark mahogany face.

MAGNIFYING GLASS, 5" H, $24. MAGNO DESIGN THROUGH AREAWARE: 212-226-5155; .

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